The Vinyl Word

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

20 Rocksteady classics

Here are some classic UK-issued 45s from what was in my opinion the highest point of Jamaican music - the rocksteady era that lasted a mere two years from 1966 to 1968. It bridged the gap between ska and reggae and was hugely influential, but it was short-lived. The artists featured (many of them different on A and B sides) are among the most influential of the period. Rocksteady releases on the labels pictured are hard to find in really good condition and highly collectable. Youtube links are provided and there are some absolutely brilliant tracks here.1. Stranger Cole & Glady - Just Like A River/ The Leaders - Hope Someday. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCWsnkgDP7Ahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iedIdHUJKw

Saturday, July 27, 2013

JJ Cale and others

Some more music deaths to catch up on, firstly singer/songwriter J J Cale, who has died aged 74. Born in Oklahoma, his early records did not make much impact, including his first UK release
Outside Lookin' In (photo shows the original review copy I received at the time). Later records were more successful, including Crazy Mama, his biggest hit, but it was 1970s albums such as Naturally, Really, Okie and Troubador that made his name, along with his songs recorded by the likes of Eric Clapton, Waylon Jennings and Lynryd Skynryd. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbCDVcPDI0wFrom the world of blues we have lost T-Model Ford, who was believed to be well into his nineties, although he was unsure of the year of his birth. He was sentenced to ten years on the chain gang for murder, allegedly had 26 children and only learned to play the guitar when his fifth wife left him and gave him one as a leaving present. He recorded for Fat Possum records from 1997 onwards and played at numerous blues festivals, as well as the Barbican in London a few years back.
A final word, too, for English comedian Mel Smith, who was one of
the stars of Not The Nine O'Clock News and co-starred with Griff Rhys Jones in Alas Smith and Jones.